The van driver was also airlifted to hospital following the crash on the A692 on Sunday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the scene, which was close to the Starbucks on Genesis Way, at around 1.30pm and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service worked alongside the Great North Air Ambulance Service and freed the men from their vehicles.

Rob Turnbull, a group manager with County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service said that the driver of the car was deceased upon their arrival.

Mr Turnbull added: “We mobilised two appliances from Consett but we also sent a specialist rescue unit from Bishop Auckland.

“The deceased was a male adult in the car and we extricated him from the vehicle.

“We also extricated the driver of the van. He was transported by air ambulance to the RVI in Newcastle suffering from back and chest pains.

“The road was closed and we handed over to the police Accident and Investigation Team.”

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A spokesperson for Durham Constabulary said: “Please be aware we currently have a number of emergency services units on scene dealing with an incident in the area of Consett and at this time there is a road and pedestrian pathway closure in place on the A692 Consett Road between The Grove Industrial Estate and Genesis Way Roundabout.

“The closure is in effect in both directions at this time and request to use alternate routes at this time please.